Ohio panel opts to add 220 area code to 740 region

COLUMBUS Regulators have approved a plan to use a new 220 area code in parts of Ohio now covered by the 740 area code, which is expected to run out of numbers in 2015.

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio approved a plan Wednesday to let current 740 customers keep that area code on existing phone lines. The new 220 area code will be assigned for new numbers in parts of central and southeast Ohio.

Customers in the affected regions will have to use 10-digit dialing, including area codes, for local calls starting in March 2015.

The chairman of the utilities commission says the plan to use two area codes in the same region was fairer and less disruptive than splitting the region geographically into two parts with different area codes.